Lord, Open the Door for us - a Gift of Salvation

 21st Sunday in Ordinary Time: August 21, 2022

Readings: Isaiah 66:18–21; Psalm 117:1, 2; Hebrews 12:5–7, 11–13; Luke 13:22–30

To listen to the audio-video reflections on YOUTUBE please click on this link: https://youtu.be/7eEaRcZzgSo

We are living in a world of anxiety. Often, one of the speculative questions that keep on coming into the circle of Christians is, will there many or few people be saved? So the question of salvation seems to be back in our minds and comes to the fore now and then. 

1. Not how many are saved but how to be saved

The gospel reading of today begins this way: 'Jesus went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem.  And some one said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?”' (Luke 13:22-23). It is very curious to note that the question was asked about salvation while Jesus was on a Journey to Jerusalem, a city of God, where every Jew found his or her perfect place to worship Yahweh. Our life is a journey towards eternity. Therefore, both journey and destiny are important.  God's gift of life has a purpose. It is not for procuring wealth and earthy treasures here on earth but heavenly treasures. In Kannada, somebody put it with a bit of humour: "ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಇರುವುದು ಸುಮ್ಮನೆ, ಮೇಲೆ ಇರುವುದು ನಮ್ಮ ಮನೆ" Illi iruvudu summane, mele iruvudu namma mane,  "We are here for nothing, but we have a home above." 

The answer of Jesus to those who questioned him is simple and without hesitation: “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able"  (Luke 13:24). Jesus is not interested in revealing to us the number of the saved instead in revealing to us how to be saved or what are things to be done in order to be saved. It is not the number game that is important but the ways and means. Often in games, it is not how many goals or points you make but the process of the game itself is very important to entertain the audience. 

2. Doing the right things and at the right time 

The audience of Jesus consisted mainly of Jews, both men and women. He reminds them that they have a rich spiritual heritage set by Abraham, Issac, Jacob, Judges and prophets, unlike other nations. In other words, Jews are privileged people, the chosen ones. Therefore a particular and serious responsibility lies on them. However, if someone does not walk in the truth and the way of the Lord, the person is condemned. It is not sufficient to belong to a certain ethnic group, race, religion, tradition, or institution, not even the tag of "chosen people."  What puts us on the road to salvation is not a title of ownership ‘We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our streets.’ (Lk 13:26), but a personal decision, followed by a consistent way of life.  In fact, we are invited to focus on our own response to God’s love by striving to enter through the narrow gate. This is a choice we are left with to make daily by sharing our gifts in service and solidarity. 

Quite often, there is a general tendency among the believers of different religions to propagate that only those who believe in what they believe may find salvation. St. Cyprian of Carthage, one of the Church Fathers speaking against the heretics of his time in the third century said “extra ecclesiam nulla salus,” or, “outside the Church, there is no salvation." Today in the words of the theologian Edward Schillebeeckx we say that there is no salvation outside the world. God knows to reveal His glory in every language, race or nation. Therefore each one of us has to find salvation within one's reach by doing the right things and that must happen here on this earth. That means the road to salvation begins here on earth. 

3. The message of the gospel is for everyone

Jesus does not confirm or deny that only a few will be saved. What he does say is that salvation is not guaranteed for anyone. "We are your people" will not be good enough. What Jesus is saying is that no one, no matter who they are, has an absolute guarantee of being saved, of being accepted by God provided you follow in the footsteps of the Lord. The thrust of the message of Jesus is that he is here with God's love and freedom to the whole world. Hence no one is excluded from experiencing the love and liberation that God offers. The primary role of the Christian community has never been simply to guarantee the "salvation" of its own members, but also of others. Therefore the goal of a retreatant according to St. Ignatius of Loyola is primarily to save one's soul and if possible others too. 

The role of the Christian community from the beginning until now is first and foremost to proclaim to the whole world the Good News about God's love for the world, to share the message of the Gospel about what constitutes real living with the whole world. It also hopes that many will respond to its message of life through the conversion of their lives. And it is not only a verbal message, the verbal teaching of Jesus, which has to be communicated. Just handing out a catechism or even a Bible is not enough. Our whole lifestyle, individually and in community, as Christians is itself to be a proclamation to all those who hunger for a life of truth, of love, of justice and greater sharing, a life of compassion and mutual support, an end to loneliness and marginalization, exploitation and manipulation

The relationship with Jesus leads us to the adventure of surprises. This surprise-life is called vocation, or the spiritual life. For Jesus is the true way of salvation (John 4:16). In Jesus, God is present. Probably, this way might be difficult and narrow, hard and suffering just like that of Jesus.  We are being disciplined by our afflictions, strengthened to walk that straight and narrow path.   Those who are with Him reflect the relationship and freedom one enjoys with him. This is manifested by one's outward actions by striving to be holy and blameless.

Questions for reflections:

1. ‘Strive to enter by the narrow door.’ What do you think the narrow door represents for you? 
2. The kingdom of God as Jesus describes is inclusive. How does that Kingdom of God look to you? 

Prayer: 

Dear loving God, You are steadfast in you kindness towards us. Your fidelity endures forever. We thank you for inviting us along the way to life, in You and through You.  You call us to enter by the narrow door. Attract us to your way with your grace.  Help us to follow your way of love. Free me from everything in me that wants to go astray from, you.  Free me to love as you love.  Teach me to be merciful and just.  Make my heart like yours.  Draw me together along this way so that I can show my joy to others and make the way easier for so many more.  We make this prayer in Jesus' Holy Name. Amen.  

- Olvin Veigas, SJ

August 19, 2022